By Theresa Goffredo and Steve Powell
Herald Writers
SNOHOMISH – Jordan Gere of Everett likes to be in charge.
So, leading a volunteer effort to build an amphitheater in Snohomish for 150 people was no big deal.
Well, maybe it was. But give him a break. He’s only 16.
Jordan did the project to earn his Eagle Scout badge, and it was a tremendous success, say leaders of Mountain View Community Church in Snohomish, who are the beneficiaries of the effort.
“This is away from phones and looking at God’s creation overlooking the mountains. … We can sit outside and see the stars at night,” said Kathy Baughman, who is involved with the church’s youth group.
She said she knew Jordan could do it. Baughman’s the one who gave him the idea.
“He’s a future leader who loves challenges and who is not intimidated,” she said.
The amphitheater consists of 15 benches that are 16 feet long. The theater also has a 16- by 12-foot stage. Jordan and his dad, Marvin, built a welcoming bridge, and there is also a huge fire pit.
“I had to draw it all out,” Jordan said. “I looked on the Web for different ideas. I had to present it to the church, and they approved it.”
The toughest part of the project was organizing volunteers’ schedules for the work parties and getting donations for the project, which ended up costing $3,000.
“That took a long time, and they’re still coming in,” Jordan, a Snohomish High School sophomore, said of the donations. “And once we got the workers it went pretty smoothly.”
Jordan is part of the church youth group that will be using the facility. He said the amphitheater will be a great place for church youths to congregate.
Baughman said she’s excited about the facility as well.
“Guess where we’ll be when outdoor vacation Bible school” takes place July 29 through Aug. 2? she asked.
Once he becomes an Eagle Scout, Jordan plans to join the search and rescue squad with the Snohomish Fire Department.
After that, he’s thought about cooking for a career, but until then he plans to take life as it comes and maybe become a big-time wrestler.
If that happens, he’ll have to come back and perform at the amphitheater he built.
You can call Herald Writer Theresa Goffredo at 425-339-3097
or send e-mail to goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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